Executive Summary
Recently, the world has made a switch in advertising from radio and television to social media. Businesses of all types have since followed this trend, and choose to use social networking sites such as Facebook to target individual audiences. In recent years, Facebook has dominated the social networking media and has continued to grow immensely. Businesses have been able to utilize Facebook as a key advertising tool because of its large consumer base and low marketing costs. It is important for new businesses to stay aware of the trends of Facebook, and learn how to communicate effectively to their audience. Much of Facebook’s Generation Y user base is not concerned with ads and group invitations from businesses. There is a right and a wrong way to market your business on social networking sites. Below are some helpful hints and facts that will help businesses choose Facebook to market effectively to Gen-Y audiences. Introduction
Social media has been proven to be a great resource to Businesses, if used effectively. Based on data from a Gen-Y focus group session, it was found to be a consistent fact that Facebook users find business ads and event groups bothersome when bombarded by them on their personal page. The consensus was that most of these Gen-Y users, felt their sole basis for Facebook was to socialize. This can be tough for new, smaller businesses to market to an aloof audience. Growth in Facebook
In the United States, more banner ads are seen on Facebook than any other marketing tool. Below are some facts showing the success of Facebook:
Hosts over 400 million active users worldwide
Ad display count for the first quarter of 2010 was 176.3 billion compared to Yahoo with 131.5 billion, and Microsoft with 60.1 billion
(Graph)
Choosing the Correct Audience
Not only is advertising through Facebook cost effective, but also businesses are able to choose the individuals they would like to market to.Facebook allows businesses to select the areas of interest, age, and demographics in order to market to the qualified audience. When choosing this audience, it is important to keep in mind that most Facebook users currently feel bombarded by ads; therefore, new businesses should represent themselves as individual owners and friend groups of people based upon their judgment of whether that individual would be interested in their business being advertised. Communicating Effectively
It is important for businesses to communicate to their chosen audience in an effective way. Businesses should direct their strategies to converse and not shout. Simply put, this means that when advertising, businesses should not bombard individuals with friend requests, and daily inbox messages on promotions for their business.
A business should have its own personal page. On this personal page should be everything that business would like to promote, but in a slightly conservative fashion. A businesses’ personal page is where the extent of their “bothersome” ads should be placed.
It also is important when advertising through Facebook, for a business to reflect on the visual language of its members. When marketing to Gen-Y users, businesses should consider the language
Executive Summary
Recently, the world has made a switch in advertising from radio and television to social media. Businesses of all types have since followed this trend, and choose to use social networking sites such as Facebook to target individual audiences. In recent years, Facebook has dominated the social networking media and has continued to grow immensely. Businesses have been able to utilize Facebook as a key advertising tool because of its large consumer base and low marketing costs. It is important for new businesses to stay aware of the trends of Facebook, and learn how to communicate effectively to their audience. Much of Facebook’s Generation Y user base is not concerned with ads and group invitations from businesses. There is a right and a wrong way to market your business on social networking sites. Below are some helpful hints and facts that will help businesses choose Facebook to market effectively to Gen-Y audiences.
Introduction
Social media has been proven to be a great resource to Businesses, if used effectively. Based on data from a Gen-Y focus group session, it was found to be a consistent fact that Facebook users find business ads and event groups bothersome when bombarded by them on their personal page. The consensus was that most of these Gen-Y users, felt their sole basis for Facebook was to socialize. This can be tough for new, smaller businesses to market to an aloof audience.
Growth in Facebook
In the United States, more banner ads are seen on Facebook than any other marketing tool. Below are some facts showing the success of Facebook:
(Graph)
Choosing the Correct Audience
Not only is advertising through Facebook cost effective, but also businesses are able to choose the individuals they would like to market to. Facebook allows businesses to select the areas of interest, age, and demographics in order to market to the qualified audience. When choosing this audience, it is important to keep in mind that most Facebook users currently feel bombarded by ads; therefore, new businesses should represent themselves as individual owners and friend groups of people based upon their judgment of whether that individual would be interested in their business being advertised.
Communicating Effectively
It is important for businesses to communicate to their chosen audience in an effective way. Businesses should direct their strategies to converse and not shout. Simply put, this means that when advertising, businesses should not bombard individuals with friend requests, and daily inbox messages on promotions for their business.
A business should have its own personal page. On this personal page should be everything that business would like to promote, but in a slightly conservative fashion. A businesses’ personal page is where the extent of their “bothersome” ads should be placed.
It also is important when advertising through Facebook, for a business to reflect on the visual language of its members. When marketing to Gen-Y users, businesses should consider the language
Choosing the Correct Ad on Facebook
Alternatives to Bothersome Ads
Recommendations